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We Defend Assault Driving Drug Serious Crime Sexual Assault Theft & Fraud Weapons Charges

Covid-19 Update

We are open for business.

During Covid-19 , we continue to provide outstanding service to our clients. Our lawyers are back to regular office hours and are also set up to meet with clients remotely.  Our office has appropriate health protocols in place for everyone’s safety.

As a result of the evolving Covid-19 situation, the Courts have made extensive modifications to their normal operations. Members of the public who do not have urgent matters are discouraged from attending any courthouse. We can arrange to have our clients either attend court remotely or to have us attend court on their behalf.

We remain committed to providing  our clients with the best possible service during this difficult time. As always, we can be reached 24/7 for urgent matters and during normal office hours (9am -5pm) for non-urgent matters. We can be reached by phone at 604 688 1460, or by email at mail@mineslaw.com.

Stay safe!

Vancouver Criminal Defence Lawyers

Dedicated. Experienced. Proven Results.

Vancouver based criminal defence lawyers, Mines & Company have, since 1993, maintained a proven record of success defending criminal offences, including assault charges, driving charges, drug charges, serious crimes charges, sexual assault charges, theft and fraud charges, and weapons charges.

Michael Mines and his associate Ryan Johnson are dedicated to helping their clients obtain the best possible outcomes in every case. Our lawyers are focused solely on criminal law and Motor Vehicle Act defence. We regularly appear in courts throughout Metro Vancouver and the rest of British Columbia. We’ve conducted cases in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, as well as the Yukon Territory.

We believe that great communication is the key to every successful case. From initial consultation to extensive trial preparation, we are committed to answering your questions, addressing your concerns and keeping you informed. We understand that to be successful, we must work hard to understand every detail of your case. We will listen to you. We will explore every possible defence. We will prepare sound legal arguments and advance them in court on your behalf. We still strive to communicate your circumstances and your story to police, Crown prosecutors and to the Court.

Recent Successes

R. vs. J.P - North Vancouver Provincial Court

Charges: Assault; Breach of Undertaking (domestic).
Issue: Whether there was a substantial likelihood of a conviction and whether it was in the public interest to proceed.
Result: Mr. Johnson was able to persuade Crown counsel to stay all of the criminal charges and to allow our client to enter into a peace bond. No jail. No criminal record.

R. vs. F.K. - Vancouver Provincial Court

Charges: Dangerous Driving; Obstruct/Resist Arrest (Reduced to MVA charge).
Issue: Whether the Crown would be able to prove that our client had the necessary element of  intent for a criminal conviction.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel to proceed on a lesser charge under the Motor Vehicle Act of speeding relative to the road conditions. Our client was sentenced to a driving prohibition. No criminal record.

R. vs. E.Z. - Vancouver Provincial Court

Charges: Assault with a Weapon; Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose.
Issue: Whether there was a substantial likelihood of a criminal conviction.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown that there were flaws in the evidence and that a conviction was highly unlikely. No charges were approved. No criminal record.

R. vs. G.M.G. - Vancouver Provincial Court

Charges: Assault; Theft Under $5000.
Issue: Whether our client was acting to defend his spouse when he physically engaged with the complainant.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to provide further evidence to Crown counsel which persuaded Crown that there was no substantial likelihood of a conviction. Complete stay of proceedings. No criminal record.

R. vs. B.M. - New Westminster Provincial Court

Charge: Sexual Assault.
Issue: Whether there was merit in moving forward with the prosecution.
Result: Mr. Johnson was able to provide information to Crown counsel that led to Crown concluding there was no substantial likelihood of a conviction. Stay of proceedings. No jail. No criminal record.

R. vs. D.M. - Burnaby RCMP Investigation

Charges: Sexual Interference; Invitation to Sexual Touching; Assault.
Issue: Whether the evidence would lead to charges being approved.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to guide our client through the police investigation and to ultimately persuade the investigating officer that the evidence of the complaint was not reliable. No criminal charges were forwarded to Crown counsel.

R. vs. S.A. - Vancouver Provincial Court

Charge: Assault Causing Bodily Harm (Reduced to Peace Bond).
Issue: After directing our client through a course of self rehabilitation, whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the criminal prosecution.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel to stay the criminal charge upon our client being placed on a peace bond. No criminal record.

R. vs. S.K. - North Vancouver Provincial Court

Charge: Driving while Prohibited.
Issue: Whether our client would be sentenced to the mandatory minimum 12 month driving prohibition.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel to proceed on the lesser charge of driving without a valid drivers license. Our client was sentenced to a fine. No driving prohibition.

R. v. P.Z. - North Vancouver RCMP Investigation

Charges: Sexual Interference; Invitation to Sexual Touching; Assault.
Issue: Whether the evidence would lead to charges being approved.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to guide our client through the police investigation and to ultimately persuade the investigating officer that the evidence of the complaint was not reliable. No criminal charges were approved.

R. vs. N.D. - Port Coquitlam Provincial Court

Charges: Invitation to Sexual Touching (x2).
Issues: To what extent the court would consider our client's remorse and rehabilitation when passing sentence.
Result: Notwithstanding that our client was in a position of trust and the Crown had originally sought a sentence of 12 months jail, Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel and the Court that the appropriate sentence was 90 days, to be served on weekends.

R. vs. R.C. - Vancouver Provincial Court

Charges: Assault.
Issue: Whether there was a substantial likelihood of conviction in this case.
Result: Mr. Johnson was able to provide information to Crown counsel which resulted in Crown entering a complete stay of proceedings just prior to the trial date. No criminal record.

R. vs. K.A. - Surrey Provincial Court

Charges: Assault; Breach of Release Order.
Issue: Whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the criminal charges.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel to proceed by way of a Peace Bond and to enter a stay of proceedings on the criminal charges. No criminal record.
View all

We serve Metro Vancouver

and all of British Columbia.

We have over 30 years of courtroom experience.

Michael Mines and Ryan Johnson have a combined total in excess of 30 years’ experience conducting criminal trials. Their trial strategies and courtroom skills are enhanced by both lawyers’ past experience doing Crown prosecution work. Michael and Ryan take great pride in the professional relationships they have built over the years with Crown prosecutors, judges and other defence lawyers. The firm has earned a reputation as being highly professional, ethical and dedicated to our clients.

Mines & Company has conducted close to 4,000 client matters over the years. This extensive criminal law experience has given us the depth of knowledge to assess our cases before they get to court. In essence, once we understand the issues of a particular case, we will be able to provide advice as to the probable outcome. Where appropriate, our lawyers will strongly advocate for a successful resolution of charges prior to your trial. Our firm grasp of the facts and the law, coupled with our excellent advocacy skills often allow us to negotiate a resolution that is favourable to our client. We will always strive to “control the outcome” of our case through a successful plea negotiation without the necessity of a trial. However, when we are called upon to argue a case in court – whether at trial or at a sentencing hearing, we find that our excellent preparation and courtroom advocacy pays off. The vast majority of our clients’ cases are resolved favourably.

We defend your rights and freedoms.

Our lawyers work tirelessly to defend your rights. We pride ourselves in fighting to uphold the Charter principles that guarantee Canadians freedom from unreasonable and unlawful police actions. We are dedicated to upholding the values enshrined in the Charter, including:

  • The right to be treated in accordance with principles of fundamental justice;
  • The right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure;
  • The right to be free from arbitrary detention and arrest;
  • The right upon detention or arrest to be informed of the reasons thereof and the right to contact counsel without delay;
  • The right to be tried within a reasonable time; and
  • The right to not be subjected to any cruel or unusual punishment.

Where appropriate, we will apply to the court to have any evidence obtained through a Charter breach excluded from the trial process.

Assault, Drug, Theft and Driving charges

Mines and Company represents people charged with assault (including domestic); drug trafficking; theft; fraud; sex assault; weapons; and driving (including impaired) offences. We appear regularly in all Metro Vancouver courts as well as courts throughout the rest of British Columbia. We have over 30 years experience and have, over the years, achieved an impressive record of success. Our lawyers work tirelessly to defend our client’s rights. We pride ourselves in fighting to uphold the Charter principles that guarantee Canadians freedom from unlawful and unreasonable police actions.

Start with a free consultation.

If you are being investigated by police or if you’ve been charged with a criminal or driving offence, don’t face the problem alone. Being accused of an offence is stressful. The prospects of a criminal record or jail sentence can be daunting. Even if you think there is no defence, we may be able to help. To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Vancouver lawyers, contact us now.

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